Compounds with (substituted phenyl)-propenal moiety, their derivatives, biological activity, and use thereof

ABSTRACT

The present invention includes compounds, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics having at least one (substituted phenyl)-propenal moiety. The compounds and compositions of the present invention are useful in the treatment or prevention of medical conditions including androgen associated conditions, androgen associated inflammation, acne, alopecia, hirsutism, a wound, prostate cancer, bladder cancer, liver cancer, breast cancer and Kennedy&#39;s disease.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/008,124 filed Jan. 8, 2008, which claims benefit of priority to United Sates patent application Ser. No. 60/879,458 filed on Jan. 8, 2007, each of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to compounds with biological activity and pharmaceutical and cosmetic formulations thereof, their derivatives and methods of use, more specifically the present invention includes compounds with at least one (substituted phenyl)-propenal moiety and their biological activity and use thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is well known that certain natural products may possess therapeutic effects, which has lead to their use in the treatment and prevention of human diseases across many cultures (e.g., Chinese herbal medicines and many other folk medicines). The effectiveness of such treatments has lead the pharmaceutical industry to seek and isolate active compounds from these natural products and develop the active ingredients as therapeutic or prophylactic drugs for the treatment and prevention of a variety of diseases or medical conditions. Thus many commonly used pharmaceuticals have been developed or have arisen from natural products. Among these include, aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), which was isolated from bark of the willow tree; ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, which were isolated from a Chinese herb Má Huang; and penicillin, which was isolated from fungus (Pennicillium chrysogenum). However, compounds isolated from natural products are known to play certain physiological function(s) in its native host; whereas their therapeutic effects against human diseases are not readily apparent. Historically, such therapeutic treatments were derived merely by accumulated experiences or “trial and error” in humans. Moreover, because such compounds were not initially created for use in humans, the compounds in their native form are frequently not in the most optimal form, both in structure as well as efficacy, to treat human diseases. However, today's modern chemistry technology, including analytical and synthetic chemistries, together with the advances in medicinal biology have made it possible for one to dissect a chemical structure and localize a “pharmacophore” (a core structure that is essential for the therapeutic activity) within a compound such as one isolated from a natural product; furthermore, these new techniques allow one to synthesize new compounds, based on the structure of a pharmacophore, that possess optimal or even better therapeutic efficacy.

In this invention we have demonstrated that a compound with a single (4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenyl)-propenal moiety possesses an activity that could reduce the expression of androgen receptor (AR) protein by enhancing its degradation. This discovery resulted in part from our extensive study of compound ASC-J9 (1,7-Bis-(3,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)-5-hydroxy-hepta-1,4,6-trien-3-one), a dimethylated form of a natural compound curcumin (existing as a major pigment in a turmeric plant). Compound curcumin and many of its analogs have been reported to possess numerous biological activities in vitro, such as, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and antiangiogenesis activities; but neither curcumin nor its analogues have been developed into a therapeutic drug to treat human diseases. This indicates curcumin in its native form is probably not an optimal molecule for development into a therapeutic drug.

Previously we have discovered compounds ASC-J9 and ASC-J15 (5-Hydroxy-7-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenyl)-4-[3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenyl)-acryloyl]-hepta-4,6-dienoic acid ethyl ester) (FIG. 1), both possess potent prostate cancer inhibitory and anti-androgenic activity. These two compounds, in our hand, also exhibited more potent anti-prostate cancer activity than a current therapeutic drug hydroxyl flutamide (HF), a class of “non-steroid anti-androgen” drug that is widely used to treat human prostate cancer.

After extensive further study of the structure and bioactivity of ASC-J9 and ASC-J15, we were surprised to find that the (substituted phenyl)-propenal moieties shared by these two compounds are actually the core structure(s) that attribute to the potent anti-androgen/AR activity of these compounds but not the entire curcumin-like structure. Based in part on this finding we have generated, by chemically synthesis, numerous new compounds, including compounds that possess one, two, three or four (substituted phenyl)-propenal moieties to further support the concept that a (substituted phenyl)-propenal moiety is the pharmacophore of these compounds. Results from our study are able to show that the increase in number of these moieties within a compound structure may alter or may increase the anti-androgen/AR activity of the compound. We also demonstrate herein that anti-androgenic activity is present within compounds having a single (substituted phenyl)-propenal moiety. New derivatives, based on our new compounds with at least one (substituted phenyl)-propenal moiety, were also synthesized by the present inventors to elucidate not only the pharmacophore structure but also to evaluate the anti-androgenic and anti-cancer activities. The new compounds, provided herein by the inventors further show significant improvements and optimization of bioactivity, bioavailability, water solubility and other criteria essential for the development of therapeutic drug.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides biologically active compounds having at least one (substituted phenyl)-propenal moiety. Thus it is an object of the present invention to provide compounds having at least one (substituted phenyl)-propenal moiety for use as a treatment for a medical condition, such as a human medical condition.

In one aspect of the present invention a compound having at least one (substituted phenyl)-propenal moiety is provided, the compound having the formula according to formula I:

wherein 1) R₃ and R₄ are each independently selected from the group consisting of alkoxy, hydroxy, and hydrogen; and 2) X is selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, alkoxy, ethyl propionate, ethyl methyl carbonate, and carbonyl alkyl. In some embodiments the compound has formula selected from the group consisting of monomers 1, 3, 5, 6 and 7. These monomers are provided below:

In another aspect of the present invention a compound is provided including a (substituted phenyl)-propenal moiety having the formula according to (IIa) or (IIb):

wherein: 1) R₃, R₄, R₃′, and R₄′ are independently selected from the group consisting of —H, —OH, and —OCH₃; 2) L is a C0-C8 alkylene or L is an unsaturated alkenylene or alkynl when Z is nothing; 3) Z is selected from the group consisting of —H, —OH, an aromatic ring, a cycloalkyl, —COR₁, —CO₂R₁, —CONR₁R₂, —NR₁R₂, —CX₃, wherein R₁ and R₂ are independently selected from the group consisting of —H, —CH₃, and —C2H₅; and 4) X is a halogen atom selected from the group consisting of —F, —Cl, and —Br. The formula IIa and IIb are the equilibrate tautomers as a common phenomenon of diketone. In some embodiments the compound is selected from the group consisting of II-1, II-2, II-3, II-4 and II-5. The formulas provided as:

In another aspect of the present invention, a compound is provided according to formula IIc:

wherein 1) R₃, R₄, R₃′, and R₄′ are independently selected from the group consisting of —H, —OH, and —OCH₃; and 2) R₁, and R₂ are independently selected from the group consisting of —H, —CH₃, —C2H₅, a substituted aryl and a substituted benzyl group.

In another aspect of the present invention, a compound is provided according to formula III:

wherein R₃, R₄, R₃′, R₄′, R₃″, and R₄″ are each independently selected from the group consisting of alkoxy, hydroxy, and hydrogen. In some embodiments, the compound includes the formula III-1 or III-2, which is provided as:

In another aspect of the present invention, a compound is provided according to the formula IV:

wherein R₃, R₄, R_(3′), R_(4′), R₃″, R_(4″), R_(3′″), and R_(4′″) are each independently selected from the group consisting of alkoxy, hydroxy, and hydrogen. In some embodiments the compound includes the formula IV-1:

In another aspect of the present invention a compound is provided according to formula V:

wherein 1) each “n” is independently 1, 2, or 3; 2) R₃, R₄, R₃′, and R₄′ are independently selected from the group consisting of —H, —OH, and —OCH₃; 3) L-Z side chain can be no-exist, but if L-Z side chain exists, L is a C0-C8 alkylene, or an unsaturated alkenylene or alkynl when Z is nothing; 4) Z is selected from the group consisting of —H, —OH, an aromatic ring, a cycloalkyl, —CO₂R₁, —CONR₁R₂, —CX₃; 5) R₁ and R₂ are independently selected from the group consisting of —H, —CH₃, and —C2H₅; and 6) X is a halogen atom selected from the group consisting of —F, —Cl, and —Br. In some embodiments the compound is provided according to formula V-1 or V-2:

In another aspect of the present invention a pharmaceutical formulation or cosmetic formulation is disclosed including a compound including at least one (substituted phenyl)-propenal moiety as provided in the present application and having a desired biological activity. The pharmaceutical formulation or cosmetic formulation may provide a compound of the present invention and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or a cosmetically acceptable carrier. In various nonlimiting embodiments, the compound may include monomer 1, 3, 5, 6 or 7 alone or in combination. In further embodiments, the compound includes the formula according to formulas I, II, III, IV, V, or a combination thereof. Thus the compound may include at least one, two, three, four, five or more (substituted phenyl)-propenal moieties.

In another aspect of the present invention a method of treating a medical condition is disclosed including administering a compound including at least one (substituted phenyl)-propenal moiety having a desired or suspected of having a desired biological activity to an individual in need thereof. The compound may be any disclosed herein alone or in combination. The compounds of the present invention may be used to treat, prevent or ameliorate symptoms from androgen associated disorders. Nonlimiting examples of medical conditions that may be treated with the disclosed compounds are androgen associated inflammation including a wound (the compounds assist with wound healing), acne, rheumatoid arthritis, and alopecia; Kennedy's disease; cancers such as prostate cancer, bladder cancer, liver cancer, and breast cancer; and other medical conditions described herein. Treatment of such medical conditions includes administering to an individual suffering from a medical condition describe herein, a therapeutically effective amount of any of the disclosed compounds, their derivatives, or pharmaceutical compositions thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a structural representation of compounds ASC-J9 (1,7-Bis-(3,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)-5-hydroxy-hepta-1,4,6-trien-3-one) and ASC-J15 (5-Hydroxy-7-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenyl)-4-[3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenyl)-acryloyl]-hepta-4,6-dienoic acid ethyl ester), which were previously shown to have anti-androgenic activities.

FIG. 2 depicts a table including a nonlimiting listing of newly synthesized compounds encompassed by the present invention including at least one (substituted phenyl)-propenal moiety, with their structures, chemical formulas and molecular weights.

FIG. 3 depicts a table of Western Blot densitometric data showing compounds having different number of (4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenyl)-propenal moieties are capable of reducing Androgen Receptor (AR) expression in human prostate cancer CWR22Rv1 cells.

FIG. 4 depicts Western Blot images showing newly provided compounds with at least one (4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenyl)-propenal moiety are capable of reducing Androgen Receptor (AR) protein expression in human prostate cancer CWR22Rv1 cells.

FIG. 5 depicts a table showing some selected ASC compounds and monomers are capable of inhibiting proliferation of human prostate cancer cells (LNCaP and CWR22Rv1) stimulated by DHT in vitro.

FIG. 6 depicts Western Blot data showing four compounds ASC-Q49, ASC-Q103, ASC-JM12, and ASC-JM4, at various concentrations, are capable of reducing endogenous AR expression in LNCaP and CWR22Rv1 human prostate cancer cells.

FIG. 7 depicts Western Blot data showing compounds ASC-J9 and ASC-JM5 enhances AR protein degradation in the presence of a protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide (CHX), tested in LNCaP cells.

FIG. 8 depicts two tables (8a and 8b) that summarize the potency of representative ASC compounds in reducing endogenous AR protein expression (using Western Blot analysis) at various concentrations, when tested in LNCaP and CWR22Rv1 human prostate cancer cells.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION A. Definitions

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. All patents, applications, published applications and other publications referred to are incorporated by reference in their entirety, including disclosed structures, formulas, methods of use, methods of treatment, and methods of production. In the event that there is a plurality of definitions for a term herein, those in this section prevail unless stated otherwise.

The term “(substituted phenyl)-propenal moiety” as used herein refers to a composition including a phenyl group having attached thereto a propenal moiety (when m equals 1) and an alkoxy or hydroxy moiety, or an alkyl or substituted alkyl moiety. The substitutions may be positioned meta or para or ortho with respect to the propenal moiety as used herein and refers to a general formula

Where n may be any number of 1, 2, 3 or 4; and m may be any number of 1, 2, 3, 4, or more.

The term “alkyl” as used herein refers to a straight or branched hydrocarbon chain radical consisting solely of carbon and hydrogen atoms, containing no unsaturation, having from one to ten carbon atoms, and which is attached to the rest of the molecule by a single bond, e.g. methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, 1-methylethyl (iso-propyl), n-butyl, n-pentyl, 1,1-dimethylethyl (t-butyl), and the like.

The term “alkenyl” as used herein refers to a straight or branched hydrocarbon chain radical consisting solely of carbon and hydrogen atoms, containing at least one double bond, having from two to ten carbon atoms, and which is attached to the rest of the molecule by a single bond or a double bond, e.g. ethenyl, prop-1-enyl, pent-1-enyl, penta-1,4-dienyl, and the like.

The term “alkenylene” as used herein refers to a straight or branched hydrocarbon chain which contains a carbon-to-carbon double bond and is represented by the formula C_(n)H_(2n-2), wherein hydrogen may be replaced by an additional carbon-to-carbon double bond or a monovalent substituent, e.g. ethenylene, prop-1-enylene and the like.

The term “alkoxy” as used herein refers to the radical having the formula —OR wherein R is an alkyl, haloalkyl or cycloalkyl. An “optionally substituted alkoxy” refers to the radical having the formula —OR wherein R is an optionally substituted alkyl as described herein.

The term “alkynl” as used herein refers to a straight or branched hydrocarbon chain radical consisting solely of carbon and hydrogen atoms, containing at least one triple bond, having from two to ten carbon atoms, and which is attached to the rest of the molecule by a single bond or a triple bond, e.g. ethynyl, prop-1-ynyl, but-1-ynyl, pent-1-ynyl, pent-3-ynyl and the like.

The term “aryl” as used herein refers to a radical of carbocyclic ring system wherein at least one of the rings is aromatic. The aryl may be fully aromatic or may contain an aromatic ring in combination with a non-aromatic ring. A “biaryl system” is a compound that includes at least two aryl groups.

The term “cycloalkyl” as used herein refers to a stable monovalent monocyclic or bicyclic hydrocarbon radical consisting solely of carbon and hydrogen atoms, having from three to ten carbon atoms, and which is saturated and attached to the rest of the molecule by a single bond, e.g. cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, and the like.

The term “di-ketone bridge”, or “ketone-enol bridge” as used herein refers to a straight or branched hydrocarbon chain including two ketones or an enol positioned in close proximity to a ketone respectively. The “di-ketone bridge” or “ketone-enol bridge” is positioned between at least two aryl moieties.

The term “hydroxyalkyl” as used herein refers to a straight or branched hydroxy substituted hydrocarbon chain radical having from one to ten carbon atoms, e.g. —CH₂OH, —(CH₂)₂OH and the like.

The term “androgen” as used herein refers to androgen hormones such as testosterone and dihydrotestosterone (DHT). DHT is the converted product of testosterone by the 5-alpha-reductase enzyme. Androgen stimulates or controls the development and maintenance of masculine characteristics and other physiological functions in vertebrates by binding to androgen receptors, which in turn binds to the androgen/AR-controlled genes (DNA) and activates or modulates the gene.

The term “androgen receptor” as used herein or “AR” refers to the intracellular receptor that specifically binds androgens, including testosterone and DHT. AR includes all mammalian isoforms, splice variants and polymorphisms of the androgen receptor.

The term “estrogen receptor” or “ER” or “ER family” as used herein refers to the intracellular receptor specific for estradiol (the main endogenous estrogen). When bound to a hormone, it acts as a transcription factor (it regulates the reading of DNA and production of proteins). ER includes ERα and ERβ. ER includes all mammalian isoforms, splice variants, and polymorphisms of the nuclear receptor.

The term “glucocorticoid receptor” or “GR” as used herein refers to the intracellular receptor that has a high affinity to cortisol and other glucocorticoids. GR includes all mammalian isoforms, splice variants, and polymorphisms of the nuclear receptor.

The term “progesterone receptor” or “PR” as used herein refers to the intracellular steroid receptor that specifically binds progesterone. PR includes all mammalian isoforms, splice variants and polymorphisms of the nuclear receptor.

The term “peroxisome proliferator activated receptor” or “PPAR” as used herein refers to all isotypes of PPAR, including PPARα, PPARβ and PPARγ. PPAR increases transcription of target genes by binding to a specific nucleotide sequence in the gene's promoter. When bound to its fatty acid ligand, PPARα forms a heterodimeric complex with the retinoid X receptor (RXR) to regulate transcription. PPARγ is activated by prostaglandins and leukotrienes and regulates the gene expression of proteins involved in the storage of fatty acids. PARβ is weakly activated by fatty acids, prostaglandins, and leukotrienes. Its physiological ligand has not been identified.

The term “retinoic acid receptor” or “RAR” as used herein refers to the intracellular receptor known to bind many retinoid forms. “RAR” includes all family members, which include RARα, RARβ and RARγ. “RAR” includes all mammalian isoforms, splice variants and polymorphisms of the nuclear receptor.

The term “retinoid x receptor” or “RXR” as used herein refers to the intracellular receptor that specifically binds 9-cis-Retinoic acid. “RXR” includes all mammalian isoforms, splice variants and polymorphisms of the nuclear receptor.

The term “steroid receptor” or “steroid nuclear receptor” as used herein refers to intracellular receptors that bind to and regulate the transcription of DNA under the regulation of steroid hormones. Receptors for the different hormones have strong structural and functional similarities which point to an evolution from a common ancestral gene and therefore are considered a gene superfamily. Representative receptors which belong to this gene superfamily include the DNA binding and regulatory proteins controlled by the steroid hormones estradiol (ER), glucocorticoid (GR), androgen (AR), progesterone (PR), mineralocorticoid (MR), the nonsteroid hormones triiodothyronine (T3R) and dihydroxyvitamin D3 (VDR), and two classes of retinoid (all-trans retinoic acid and 9-cis retinoic acid) receptors (RARs and RXRs respectively). More than 32 genes encoding at least 75 proteins with different DNA specificity, regulation, or hormone affinity have been identified as part of this gene superfamily. New members of this superfamily are being reported frequently and are herein intended to be incorporated by reference in their entirety as published in peer reviewed scientific literature or as provided in sequence databases such as GenBank, whether DNA, RNA or polypeptide sequence, and SWISSPROT. Using new biotechnology, molecular biologists and biochemists have identified protein receptors for which the ligands have not yet been identified, thus giving birth to a class of “orphan receptors”. “Steroid receptor” includes all mammalian splice variants and isoforms of the steroid receptors.

The term “extended release” as used herein refers to dosage form that provides for the delayed, slowed over a period of time, continuous, discontinuous, or sustained release of a compound or composition.

The term “pharmaceutically acceptable” as used herein refers to approved or approvable by a regulatory agency of the Federal or a state government for use in animals, and more particularly in humans. The term “pharmaceutically acceptable carrier” refers to an approved or approvable diluent, adjuvant, excipient or carrier with which a compound is administered.

The term “prodrug” as used herein refers to a compound that, upon in vivo administration, is metabolized by one or more steps or processes or otherwise converted to the biologically, pharmaceutically or therapeutically active form of the compound. To produce a prodrug, the pharmaceutically active compound is modified such that the active compound will be regenerated by metabolic processes. The prodrug may be designed to alter the metabolic stability or the transport characteristics of a drug, to mask side effects or toxicity, to improve the flavor of a drug or to alter other characteristics or properties of a drug. In some but not all instances, the prodrug includes a cleavable ester, which upon cleavage, releases the active form.

The term “therapeutically effective amount” refers to the amount of a compound that, when administered to a patient for treating a disease or disorder, is sufficient to affect such treatment for the disease or disorder. The “therapeutically effective amount” will vary depending on the compound, the disease or disorder and its severity and the age and weight of the patient to be treated. The “therapeutically effective amount” may include a series of administrations that eventually causes a desired effect whether or not the initial administration is effective.

The term “derivative” as used herein refers to variations on a core structure or pharmacophore that yields a desired effect. Derivatives may include substitutions along the phenyl ring, the propenal region of the molecule or along a side chain. Thus derivatives encompassed herein include compounds formed from or include at least one disclosed compound, such as those identified in formulas I, II, III, IV, or V. It may be desirable to form derivatives of the particular compounds to modulate solubility, efficacy, aggregation and the like.

As used herein, the abbreviations for any protective groups, amino acids and other compounds, are, unless indicated otherwise, in accord with their common usage, recognized abbreviations, or the IUPAC-IUB Commission on Biochemical Nomenclature (see, Biochem. 1972 11:942-944).

B. Compounds and Compositions Including (substituted phenyl)-propenal Moieties

The inventors of the present invention have found that compounds described herein, including those with at least one (substituted phenyl)-propenal moiety show promise for the treatment or prevention of medical conditions. Moreover compounds disclosed herein are believed to possess activities, such as reducing the proliferation of cells that are believed to have or suspected of having a cancerous profile. Additionally, compounds disclosed herein demonstrate the ability to selectively modulate populations of steroid receptors. Thus it is an object of the present invention to provide compounds having biological activities useful in the treatment or prevention of disease in mammals, such as humans.

The present invention discloses and encompasses a variety of compounds and their derivatives having utility in the areas of medical treatment, such as in the treatment or prevention of medical conditions. Thus compositions disclosed herein may be provided or administered as compounds themselves or may be adapted with a suitable carrier to effect the desired treatment. When providing the compounds disclosed herein as a pharmaceutical, the compounds may be provided in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. When providing the compounds disclosed herein as a cosmetic, the compounds may be provided in combination with a cosmetically acceptable carrier. Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers and cosmetically acceptable carriers may be the same, may be derived from one another and the like as known in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries, or may be different such as but not limited to variations depending on desired route of administration. Compounds may be tested for solubility, activity and dipole moment before or after the preparation as a pharmaceutical or cosmetic and may be tested alone or in combination with other compounds disclosed herein for synergistic effects. Thus the present invention includes one or more compound and derivatives thereof, including those with hydrophilic or hydrophobic additions, substitutions or subtractions.

In one aspect of the present invention a compound having at least one (substituted phenyl)-propenal moiety is provided. In some embodiments, compounds having a (substituted phenyl)-propenal moiety have biological activity including anti-androgen/anti-AR biological activity. In one specific embodiment of the present invention the (substituted phenyl)-propenal moiety has the formula according to formula

wherein 1) R₃ and R₄ are each independently selected from the group consisting of alkoxy, hydroxy, and hydrogen; and 2) X is selected from the group consisting of hydroxy, alkoxy, ethyl propionate, ethyl methyl carbonate, and carbonyl alkyl. As can be viewed in the FIGURES (FIGS), compounds having at least one (substituted phenyl)-propenal moiety are capable of decreasing the presence of the androgen receptor or inducing degradation of the androgen receptor. Moreover compounds having at least one (substituted phenyl)-propenal moiety were shown to reduce cancer cell growth or proliferation of cancer cells. Such inhibition occurred in the presence of a compound capable of cancer cell stimulation. In various nonlimiting embodiments described herein the compound includes a (substituted phenyl)-propenal compound or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, selected from monomer 1, 3, 5, 6 or 7, alone or in combination, the monomers being provided below:

In various embodiments, derivatives of the above referenced monomers having biological activity are also provided. The derivatives may have substitutions at one or more positions to increase one or more characteristic such as activity, solubility and the like. Such derivatives may modulate the dipole moment of a compound and may result in a composition that is more or less hydrophobic or hydrophilic.

In another aspect of the present invention a compound is provided including a (substituted phenyl)-propenal moiety having the formula according to (IIa) or (IIb):

wherein: 1) R₃, R₄, R₃′, and R₄′ are independently selected from the group consisting of —H, —OH, and —OCH₃; 2) L is a C0-C8 alkylene or L is an unsaturated alkenylene or alkynl when Z is nothing; 3) Z is selected from the group consisting of —H, —OH, an aromatic ring, a cycloalkyl, —COR₁, —CO₂R₁, —CONR₁R₂, —NR₁R₂, —CX₃, wherein R₁ and R₂ are independently selected from the group consisting of —H, —CH₃, and —C2H₅; 4) X is halogen atom selected from the group consisting of —F, —Cl, and —Br; and further wherein the formula IIa and IIb are the equilibrate tautomers as a common phenomenon of diketone. In some embodiments the compound is selected from the group consisting of II-1, II-2, II-3, II-4 and II-5. The formulas provided as:

In another aspect of the present invention, a compound is provided according to formula IIc:

wherein 1) R₃, R₄, R₃′, and R₄′ are independently selected from the group consisting of —H, —OH, and —OCH₃; and 2) R₁, and R₂ are independently selected from the group consisting of —H, —CH₃, —C2H₅, a substituted aryl and a substituted benzyl group.

In another aspect of the present invention, a compound is provided according to formula III:

wherein R₃, R₄, R₃′, R₄′, R₃″, and R₄″ are each independently selected from the group consisting of alkoxy, hydroxy, and hydrogen. Nonlimiting examples include those with the formula III-1 or III-2:

In another aspect of the present invention, a compound is provided according to the formula IV:

wherein R₃, R₄, R_(3′), R₄′, R₃″, R₄″, R_(3′″), and R_(4′″) are each independently selected from the group consisting of alkoxy, hydroxy, and hydrogen. In one embodiment the compound has the formula IV-1:

In another aspect of the present invention a compound is provided according to formula V:

wherein 1) each “n” is independently 1, 2, or 3; 2) R₃, R₄, R₃′, and R₄′ are independently selected from the group consisting of —H, —OH, and —OCH₃; 3) L-Z side chain can be no-exist, bur if L-Z side chain exists, L is a C0-C8 alkylene, or an unsaturated alkenylene or alkynl when Z is nothing; 4) Z is selected from the group consisting of —H, —OH, an aromatic ring, a cycloalkyl, —COR₁, —CO₂R₁, —CONR₁R₂, —CX₃; 5) R₁ and R₂ are independently selected from the group consisting of —H, —CH₃, and —C2H₅; and 6) X is a halogen atom selected from the group consisting of —F, —Cl, and —Br. In some embodiments the compounds have the formula according to V-1 or V-2. The following are representatives of the compounds with formula V-1 and V-2:

Synthesis of the disclosed compounds may be performed using standard practices known in the organic synthesis arts using known solvents. Synthesized compounds may be tested for desired activity such as degradation of a steroid receptor, such as the androgen receptor, the ability to prevent or inhibit proliferation of cancer cell lines, the reduction of tumor size in grafted animal studies and the like. Compounds identified as hits or leads may be further adapted using the synthesis methods and techniques disclosed herein. Thus, variations on the provided synthetic methods will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art and are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

Example 1 demonstrates a variety of synthesis schemes for the provided monomers as well as derivatives thereof, which are also encompassed herein. In some embodiments derivatives are provided as a combination of monomers or portions thereof to form a biphenyl, triphenyl, or quadrophenyl ring system or more.

In many embodiments, a biphenyl ring system was utilized for testing and comparison to other proposed treatments; however compounds having a single (substituted phenyl)-propenal moiety, were also found to have activity such as the ability to prevent proliferation of cancer cell lines stimulated with DHT and the ability to degrade the androgen receptor. Some of the compounds of the present invention were prepared through a condensation of substituted benzaldehydes and 2,4-pentanedione or 3-substituted 2,4-pentanedions by the method known in the literature. Pedersen et al., Liebigs Ann. Chem., 1557-1569 (1985). The desired substituents on the biphenyl ring and on the C4 of the conjugation bridge were synthesized either before or after the condensation. The length of conjugating bridge between the two phenyl moieties could be varied from 5 carbons to 11 carbons through synthetic strategies. Properly adding and removing protecting groups allow ultimate synthesis of disclosed compounds.

Several analogues and derivatives of compounds having a (substituted phenyl)-propenal moiety have been newly synthesized and evaluated for the anti-androgenic activity. The structure information of some but not all of the disclosed compounds is summarized in FIG. 2.

C. Pharmaceuticals and Cosmetics Including Compounds Having at Least One (substituted phenyl)-propenal Moiety

The present invention includes the disclosed compounds themselves, as well as their salts and their prodrugs, if applicable. The salts or prodrugs should retain a portion of the desired biological activity of the parent compound or be provided in a form that the body or subject can convert to a biologically active form. The salts, for example, can be formed between a positively charged substituent (e.g., amino) on a compound and an anion. Suitable anions include, but are not limited to, chloride, bromide, iodide, sulfate, nitrate, phosphate, citrate, methanesulfonate, tartrate, trifluoroacetate, and acetate. Likewise, a negatively charged substituent (e.g., carboxylate) on a compound can form a salt with a cation. Suitable cations include, but are not limited to, sodium ion, potassium ion, magnesium ion, calcium ion, and an ammonium cation such as teteramethylammonium ion. Nonlimiting examples of prodrugs include esters and other pharmaceutically acceptable derivatives, which, upon administration to a subject, are capable of providing the compounds derivatives described above.

The compounds of the present invention may be formulated for administration for the prevention or treatment of a variety of medical conditions. Pharmaceutical formulations may include at least one of the disclosed compounds or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof in combination with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. Techniques of pharmaceutical production are well known in the art of the present invention and typically include mixing a compound or salt in the presence of a suitable carrier. Suitable carriers for use with the compounds of the present invention include diluents, excipients, or carrier materials, selected according to the intended form of administration and consistent with conventional pharmaceutical or cosmetic practice. Examples of suitable carriers include, but are not limited to, water, physiological saline, phosphate-buffered saline, a physiologically compatible buffer, saline buffered with a physiologically compatible salt, a water-in-oil emulsion, and an oil-in-water emulsion, an alcohol, dimethylsulfoxide, dextrose, mannitol, lactose, glycerin, propylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, polyvinylpyrrolidone, lecithin, albumin, sodium glutamate, cysteine hydrochloride, and the like, and mixtures thereof. Suitable carriers can also include appropriate pharmaceutically acceptable antioxidants or reducing agents, preservatives, suspending agents, solubilizers, stabilizers, chelating agents, complexing agents, viscomodulators, disintegrating agents, binders, flavoring agents, coloring agents, odorants, opacifiers, wetting agents, pH buffering agents, and mixtures thereof, as is consistent with conventional pharmaceutical practice (“Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy”, 20th edition, Gennaro (ed.) and Gennaro, Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, 2000).

The pharmaceutical and cosmetic formulations may be provided depending on the desired route of administration using methods known in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic arts. Suitable routes of administration may include oral, intestinal, parenteral, transmucosal, transdermal, intramuscular, subcutaneous, rectal, intramedullary, intrathecal, intravenous, intraventricular, intraatrial, intraaortal, intraarterial, or intraperitoneal administration.

The pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention can be administered to the subject by a medical device, such as, but not limited to, implantable devices, biodegradable implants, patches, and pumps. Where such a device is used, the compositions may be formulated to include a dissolvable or nondissolvable matrix or medium (for example, a coating, membrane, film, impregnated matrix, polymer, sponge, gel, or porous layer on or within the medical device) to permit the release of the active compound or compounds over a specified period of time.

For use in a living, whole organism, such as in a human subject, compositions of the present invention can be formulated and provided in any formulation suitable to the intended form of administration and consistent with conventional pharmaceutical practice (“Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy”, 20^(th) edition, Gennaro (ed.) and Gennaro, Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, 2000). Examples of suitable formulations include tablets, capsules, syrups, elixirs, ointments, creams, lotions, sprays, aerosols, inhalants, solids, powders, particulates, gels, suppositories, concentrates, emulsions, liposomes, microspheres, dissolvable matrices, sterile solutions, suspensions, or injectables, and the like. Injectables can be prepared in conventional forms either as liquid solutions or suspensions, as concentrates or solid forms suitable for solution or suspension in liquid prior to injection, or as emulsions.

D. Medical Treatments Incorporating Compounds Having at Least One (substituted phenyl)-propenal Moieties

Compounds of the present invention were tested for their effect on steroid receptors and their effect on cancer cell populations. It was found that compounds of the present invention were able to reduce androgen receptor expression (see FIGS. 3 and 4). Further investigation demonstrated that compounds of the present invention were able to inhibit cancer cell growth (see FIG. 5) and reduce expression of the androgen receptor within cancer cells (see FIGS. 6 and 8). The inventors also considered potential mechanisms of action or potential pathways. FIG. 7 supports the inventors' beliefs that the compounds of the present invention induce degradation of the androgen receptor. Thus the activities demonstrated herein support therapeutic or prophylactic treatment against medical conditions such as a variety of cancers and androgen associated disorders.

The present invention includes methods of treating, ameliorating symptoms from or preventing the progression of a variety of medical conditions using the disclosed compounds and compositions, including pharmaceutical and cosmetic formulations. The medical conditions may, at least in part, be modulated by a steroid receptor. Steroid receptors of particular interest may include but are not limited to androgen receptor (AR), progesterone receptor (PR), estrogen receptor (ER), glucocorticoid receptor (GR), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR), retinoic acid receptors (RARs and RXRs), and orphan steroid hormone receptors. Compositions or compounds of the present invention may target a specific receptor, such as the androgen receptor or may target particular receptors within the steroid receptor superfamily.

The methods of the present invention may prevent, treat or ameliorate symptoms from cancers such as but not limited to prostate cancer, liver cancer, bladder cancer, cervical cancer, lung cancer and breast cancer, skin cancer, small cell lung cancer, testicular cancer, lymphoma, leukemia, esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, colon cancer, endometrial cancer, ovarian cancer, central nervous system cancer, and the like. The methods of the present invention may induce cytotoxicity against tumor cells or may inhibit tumor cell growth. Determining whether a compound or pharmaceutical is beneficial for the treatment or prevention of a particular disease may include testing the compounds or their derivatives in vitro, in vivo in an animal model or with a cell-based assay on a suitable cell line. In the instance of cancer, cell lines having a profile of a cancerous cell, such as cell lines prepared from cancer cells, may be utilized. In some embodiments activities of compounds of the present invention are evaluated for the ability to inhibit cancer cell growth or proliferation, optionally stimulated with a stimulator, such as DHT. Compounds disclosed herein were specifically shown to reduce growth or proliferation of prostate cancer cells.

In other embodiments, the compounds their derivatives, pharmaceutical compositions and the like are used to prevent, treat or ameliorate symptoms from neurological and neuromuscular disorders such as Kennedy Disease. Spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA), or Kennedy's disease, is a gender-specific motor neuron disease that affects 1 in every 40,000 males (reviewed by Katsuno et al., 2004). SBMA patients have a mutated androgen receptor containing an expanded polyglutamine tract. The expanded polyglutamine androgen receptor forms aggregates that interfere with cell functioning and is the factor that causes the proximal muscle atrophy associated with SBMA. The methods of the present invention may include relieving the stress caused by aggregate formation by reducing the amount of the mutant AR to a level that could be more easily policed by the cells' native housekeeping machinery. The methods of the present invention may including selectively degrading the androgen receptor and thus may be used as a therapy for SBMA. The disclosed compounds that can enhance androgen receptor degradation may suppress the steady-state level of the receptor thus, attenuating the severity of aggregate formation in patients.

Compounds and compositions of present invention may prevent, treat or ameliorate symptoms from androgen related hair disorders. For example, androgenetic alopecia or “male pattern baldness” is hair loss caused by androgen activity on the androgen receptors in follicles and adjacent cells. As another example, hirsutism is excessive growth of thick dark hair in locations where hair growth in women usually is minimal or absent. Such male-pattern growth of terminal body hair usually occurs in androgen-stimulated locations, such as the face, chest, and areolae. Methods of the present invention may include administering a compound, pharmaceutical or cosmetic formulation to an individual in need of such treatment or prevention.

Compounds and compositions of the present invention may treat inflammation (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis), acne, alopecia, and may accelerate wound healing. Acne is caused by androgen-induced AR activation of sebaceous glands and may therefore be treated by administering a compound capable of preventing or decreasing AR activation. Compounds of the present invention are believed to induce degradation of the androgen receptor and thus would provide an effective treatment against such medical conditions. Androgenetic alopecia and other hair growth disorders are known to cause by the activation of androgen receptors (AR) in hair follicles by endogenous androgen. Certain inflammation conditions and wound healing are also believed to be associated with the androgen receptor in response to androgen. Methods of the present invention may include administering a compound, pharmaceutical or cosmetic formulation to an individual in need of such treatment or prevention. Topical application of such formulations may be of particular interest.

Compounds and compositions of the present invention may be used in the treatment of endocrine disorders. Androgen excess is one of the most common endocrine disorders in women (reviewed by Bulun and Adashi, 2003). This pathophysiological status can be found in women with various endocrine disorders, including polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), pituitary adenoma-induced hyperprolactinemia, Cushing's syndrome, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, non-classical adrenal hyperplasia, ovary or adrenal tumor, and iatrogenic androgen excess. Among these disorders, PCOS, occurring in 5-10% of reproductive-age women, is the most frequently identified cause of hyperandrogenism. Recently, a relative increase in the ratio of circulating androgens to circulating estrogens (named as androgenicity) has been observed in post-menopausal women (Lee et al., 2004). Androgenicity is the consequence of a greater decrease in estradiol and estrone synthesis than that of androgen synthesis after menopause, and its clinical implications are under active study. It has been shown that women exhibiting androgenicity are more frequently seen with central obesity (Peohlman et al., 1995). Fat deposit in the abdominal wall is metabolically active and is associated with insulin resistance in the peripheral tissues (Evans et al., 1983). Other than the above-mentioned endocrine disturbances, hyperandrogenic symptoms can also be detected in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected women showing lipodystrophy syndrome (Hadigan et al., 2000). It has been suggested that hyperandrogenism may be involved in lipid aberrations observed in the latter group of patients.

The methods of the present invention include the treatment of a variety of medical conditions as disclosed herein or are believed to be associated at least in part with a steroid or steroid associated disorder. The methods of treatment include administering a compound, pharmaceutical formulation or cosmetic formulation of the present invention to an individual or subject in need thereof. Subjects may be treated with a therapeutically effective dosage. A therapeutically effective dosage may vary somewhat from compound to compound, patient to patient, and will depend on the condition of the patient and route of delivery. As general guidance, a dosage from about 0.1 to about 50 mg/kg may have therapeutic efficacy, while still higher dosages potentially being employed.

Many of the features of the present invention are explained in greater detail in the following non-limiting examples. Thus the following examples are provided to further illustrate the various aspects and embodiments of the present invention. It is be understood; however, that the invention as fully described herein and as recited in the claims is not intended to be limited by the details of the following examples.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Preparation of Compounds and Derivatives Having at Least One (3,4-Alkoxy or Hydroxy Substituted Phenyl)-Propenal Moiety

In some embodiments, compounds composed of a single (substituted phenyl) propenal core structural unit (monomers) were prepared through standard and advanced organic syntheses. In some embodiments, compounds consisting of two or more (substituted phenyl) propenal core structural moieties were prepared by a condensation of substituted benzaldehydes and 2,4-pentanedion or 3-substituted 2,4-pentanedions by the method known in the literature. Pedersen et al. (Liebigs Ann. Chem., 1557-1569, 1985). The desired substituents on the biphenyl ring and on the C4 of conjugation bridge were synthesized either before or after the condensation. The length of conjugation bridge between the two phenyl moieties could be varied from 5 carbons to 11 carbons through synthetic strategies. Properly adding and removing protecting groups allow ultimate synthesis of the disclosed derivatives. In addition, various synthetic steps may be performed in an alternate sequence in order to give the desired compounds.

Derivative phosphate prodrugs were further prepared by reacting compounds having compounds a (substituted phenyl)-propenal moiety with phosphorous oxychloride in an appropriate solvent, e.g., dichloromethane, in the presence of an organic base, e.g., triethylamine. Tartrate of disclosed compounds as water-soluble salts were synthesized by reacting compounds having a (substituted phenyl)-propenal moiety with tartaric acid in water.

Chemical Synthesis

Melting points were determined on a Fisher-John melting point apparatus and are uncorrected. Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (¹H NMR) and ¹³C NMR spectra were measured on Varian Gemini 300 or Inova 500 spectrometers with tetramethylsilane (TMS) as the internal standard. ³¹P NMR was conducted on 500 MHz Varian Inova spectrometer using phosphoric acid as external standard. Chemical shifts are reported in δ (ppm). Mass spectra (MS) were obtained on an Agilent 1100 series LC-MSD-Trap or PE-Sciex API-3000 spectrometers. Flash column chromatography was performed on silica gel (100-200 mesh) or alumina (aluminum oxide, basic, Brockmann I, standard grade, ˜150 mesh). HPLC was conducted on Shimadzu SCL 10A instrument. HPFC was conducted on a Biotage system or ISCO Inc. Chemflash chromatographic system. Preparative thin layer chromatography (PTLC) on silica gel plates (Kieselgel 60, F254, 1.00 mm) were also used for separation and purification. Precoated silica gel plates (Kieselgel 60, F254, 0.25 mm) were used for thin layer chromatography (TLC) analysis. ASC-J9 was synthesized as starting material by reaction of 3,4-dimethoxybenzaldehyde with 2,4-pentanedione based on a published method (Pedersen et al., Liebigs Ann. Chem., 1557-1569, 1985).

Synthesis of Monomers 1, 3, 5-7

The monomers, structurally with a (3,4-dimethoxy or 3-methoxy, 4-hydroxy substituted phenyl)-propenal moiety, a basic structure of the currently provided compounds, have been synthesized by reaction of 3-(3′,4′-Dimethoxy-phenyl)-acrylic acid with corresponding reagents (monomers 1, 3), or reaction of 3,4-dimethoxy-benzaldehyde or 3-methoxy-4-hydroxy benzaldehyde with ethyl levulinate (monomers 5 and 6). Monomor-7 was synthesized starting from 3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)propane through two steps. More specifically, the synthesis methods for the monomers are described as below and illustrated in Scheme 1.

Monomer 1,3-(3′,4′-Dimethoxy-phenyl)-acrylic acid methyl ester, was synthesized by reaction of 3-(3′,4′-Dimethoxy-phenyl)-acrylic acid with methanol in the presence of acetic chloride. After refluxing for 2.5 h, the reaction mixture was concentrated by evaporation to 1/3 and the white solid was filtered and dried in vacuo to get the desired product in 76% yield as a white crystalline solid. mp. 74-75° C. ESI MS m/z: 223.0 [M+H]⁺; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ: 7.64 (d, 1H, J=15.9 Hz, H-3), 7.11 (dd, 1H, J=6.9, 2.1 Hz, H-6′), 7.05 (d, 1H, J=2.4 Hz, H-2′), 6.85 (d, 1H, J=8.4 Hz, H-5′), 6.32 (d, 1H, J=15.9 Hz, H-2), 3.92 (s, 6H, phenyl OCH₃), 3.80 (s, 3H, ester OCH₃).

Monomer 3, a mixed anhydride, was prepared by reaction of 3-(3′,4′-Dimethoxy-phenyl)-acrylic acid in toluene/CH₂Cl₂ (1:1) in the presence of Et₃N. The solution was cooled to 0° C., ethyl chloroformate (1.5 eq.) was added dropwise. After stirring at 0° C. for 2 h, the precipitate was filtered out. The filtrate was concentrated to get a relatively pure white solid, which was purified by a fast filtration through a thin silica gel pad and eluted with hexanes:ethyl acetate (1:0 to 4:1) to afford the desired product as a white solid in quantity. ESI MS m/z: 281.0 [M+H]⁺; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ: 7.78 (d, 1H, J=15.9 Hz, H-3), 7.15 (dd, 1H, J=8.4, 1.8 Hz, H-6′), 7.06 (d, 1H, J=1.8 Hz, H-2′), 6.89 (d, 1H, J=8.4 Hz, H-5′), 6.29 (d, 1H, J=15.9 Hz, H-2), 4.37 (q, 2H, J=6.9 Hz, OCH₂ CH3), 3.92 (d, 6H, J=1.2 Hz, phenyl OCH₃), 1.40 (t, 3H, J=7.2, OCH₂CH₃ ).

Monomer 5, i.e., 6-(3′,4′-Dimethoxy-phenyl)-4-oxo-hex-5-enoic acid ethyl ester, was synthesized by reaction of 3,4-dimethoxy-benzaldehyde with ethyl levulinate as shown in Scheme 1. Ethyl levulinate (1 eq.) reacted with boron oxide (0.7 eq) in ethyl acetate at 40° C. for 30 min. To the resulting mixture tributyl borate and 3,4-dimethoxy-benzaldehyde (both 1 eq.) were added and the mixture was stirred at 40-42° C. for 30 min. A solution of butyl amine (0.7 eq) in ethyl acetate was added slowly and the mixture was further allowed to stir at 40-42° C. overnight. 5% hydrochloride acid (1.3 eq) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred at 60° C. for 1 h. The reaction mixture was cooled to r.t. and was partitioned. The aqueous portion was extracted with ethyl acetate twice. The combined ethyl acetate extract was washed with water to pH 4 and dried over MgSO₄. After filtration and concentration, the crude was purified by PTLC to give monomer 5 as white solid. mp. 62-63° C. ESI MS m/z: 293.2 [M+H]⁺; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ: 7.55 (d, 1H, J=16.2 Hz, H-6), 7.14 (dd, 1H, J=9.0, 2.1 Hz, H-6′), 7.08 (d, 1H, J=1.8 Hz, H-2′), 6.88 (d, 1H, J=8.4 Hz, H-5′), 6.65 (d, 1H, J=16.2 Hz, H-5), 4.16 (q, 2H, J=6.9 Hz, OCH₂ CH₃), 3.93 (s, 6H, phenyl OCH₃), 3.01 (t, 2H, J=6.6 Hz, H-3), 2.69 (t, 2H, J=6.6 Hz, H-2), 1.27 (t, 3H, J=6.9, OCH₂CH₃ ).

Monomer 6,6-(4-Hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenyl)-4-oxo-hex-5-enoic acid ethyl ester, was synthesized by reaction of vanillin with ethyl levulinate with a similar method recorded in the synthesis of Monomer 5. The desired compound was obtained as a yellow crystalline solid. mp. 55-56° C. ESI MS m/z: 279.2 [M+H]⁺; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ: 7.54 (d, 1H, J=15.0 Hz, H-6), 7.12-7.06 (m, 2H, aromatic-H), 6.94 (d, 1H, J=8.1 Hz, aromatic H-5′), 6.63 (d, 1H, J=15.0 Hz, H-5), 4.16 (q, 2H, J=7.2 Hz, OCH₂ CH₃), 3.94 (s, 3H, phenyl OCH₃), 3.01 (t, 2H, J=6.9 Hz, H-3), 2.69 (t, 2H, J=6.9 Hz, H-2), 1.27 (t, 3H, J=7.2, OCH₂CH₃ ).

Monomer 7, i.e., 7-(3,4-Dimethoxy-phenyl)-hept-6-ene-2,5-dione was made by 3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)propane through 2 steps. 3,4-dimethoxycinnamaldehyde was made as described in the synthesis of Q110 (Scheme 13) in 60% yield. Dissolving the resulting compound (1 eq.) in dry EtOH, 3-butene-2-one (1 eq.) was added. The reaction solution was heated to 80° C. under N₂, 3-Benzyl-5-(2-hydroxyethyl)-4-methyl-1,3-thiazoliumchloride (0.1 eq.), TEA (0.4 eq.) in EtOH was added dropwise. The resulting reaction mixture was stirred at the temperature for 10 h, then evaporated to get a yellow oily residue. The crude was dissolved in CH₂Cl₂ and washed with 0.5% H₂SO₄, 2% NaHCO₃, and brine. After drying over Na₂SO₄, the crude was purified by chromatography though an Al₂O₃ flash column, followed by crystallization from ethyl ether and pentane to afford the target compound as an off-white solid. mp. 71-73° C. ESI MS m/z: 263.0 [M+H]⁺; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ: 7.55 (d, 1H, J=16.2 Hz, H-6), 7.14 (dd, 1H, J=9.9, 2.1 Hz, H-6′), 7.08 (d, 1H, J=1.8 Hz, H-2′), 6.88 (d, 1H, J=8.4 Hz, H-5′), 6.64 (d, 1H, J=16.2 Hz, H-5), 3.93 (s, 6H, phenyl OCH₃), 2.98 (t, 2H, J=6.0 Hz, H-3), 2.83 (t, 2H, J=6.0 Hz, H-3), 2.24 (s, 3H, COCH₃ ).

Synthesis of Compounds Q9, Q44, Q49, Q50, Q77, and Q98

In order to study the effect of C4-substitution of the compounds on AR activity, a verity of C4-substituted compounds with different functional groups (e.g., hydroxyl, ester and amide, etc) were synthesized. These compounds were prepared by treatment of 1,7-Bis-(3,4-dimethoxy-phenyl)-5-hydroxy-hepta-1,4,6-trien-3-one (ASC-J9), synthesized through the method described in Scheme 2 with an appropriate bromide or chloride compound (or with ethylene oxide as an alternative for making compound Q9) in basic condition.

Compounds Q9 was synthesized as follows. To a 1N NaOH aqueous solution (0.2 mL, 0.2 mmol) containing 0.1 mmol of tetrabutylammonium bromide (phase transferring catalyst, PTC) was added ASC-J9 (0.1 mmol) in CH₂Cl₂ (0.5 mL). The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 10 min and 2-bromoethane alcohol (0.2 mmol) or ethylene oxide (25 mmol) was added. The resulting reaction mixture was stirred at 40° C. overnight for compound Q9. The two layers were separated, and the aqueous was extracted with CH₂Cl₂ 3 times. The combined organic layer was dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated. The crude residue was purified by PTLC and recrystallized from EtOAc. Analytical data for compound Q9 is shown bellow.

Compound Q9: Yellow crystalline solid (EtOAc), mp. 149-150° C. ESI MS m/z: 441.3 [M+H]⁺; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 7.63 (d, 1H, J=15.9 Hz, H-1), 7.53 (d, 1H, J=15.9 Hz, H-7), 7.14-7.04 (m, 4H, aromatic ring H), 6.88-6.85 (2H, aromatic ring H), 6.65 (d, 1H, J=15.9 Hz, H-2), 6.31 (d, 1H, J=15.9 Hz, H-6), 4.29 (t, 2H, J=12, and 6 Hz, CH₂ CH₂ OH), 3.94-3.88 (12H, OCH₃,), 2.84-2.79 (t, 1H, C4-H), 2.14-2.10 (m, 2H, CH₂ CH₂OH).

Compounds Q44, Q49, Q77 were synthesized by reacting ASC-J9 in CH₂Cl₂ or THF with an appropriate bromide or chloride compound in the presence of K₂CO₃ and Cs₂CO₃ (9:1) or NaH as shown scheme 2. For the examples of making compounds Q49 and Q77. To a solution of NaH (4 eq.) in THF was added ASC-J9 (1 eq.) at 0° C. The resulting solution was stirred at 0° C. for 0.5 h then room temperature for 1.5 h. 2-Chloride-N,N-diethylacetamide (4 eq.) (for Q49) or 2-Chloride-N,N-dimethylacetamide (4 eq.) (for Q77) were added. The resulting mixture was heated to reflux overnight. The reaction mixture was cooled to r.t. (room temperature), diluted with EtOAc, and washed with 10% H₂SO₄ aq. The organic layer was further washed with sat. NaHCO₃, H₂O and brine, and dried over Na₂SO₄. The desired product was purified by flash column chromatography and crystallized from EtOAc.

Compound Q49: Yellow crystalline solid, mp. 166-167° C. ESI MS m/z: 510.7[M+H]⁺; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 7.68 (d, 2H, J=15.9 Hz, H-1,7), 7.16-7.06 (4H, aromatic ring H), 6.87-6.84 (2H, aromatic ring H), 6.80 (d, 2H, J=15.9 Hz, H-2,6), 4.97 (t, 1H, J=12.0 and 6.0 Hz, C4-H), 3.92-3.89 (12H, OCH₃), 3.43-3.33 (m, 4H, CH₂CON(CH₂ CH₃)₂), 3.04 (d, 2H, J=6.6 Hz, C4-CH₂ CON(CH₂CH₃)₂), 1.24 (t, 3H, CH₂CON(CH₂ CH₃ )₂), 1.09 (t, 3H, CH₂CON(CH₂CH₃ )₂).

Compound Q77: Yellow crystalline solid, mp. 155-157° C. ESI MS m/z: 482.2 [M+H]⁺; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 7.68 (d, 2H, J=15.6 Hz, H-1,7), 7.16-7.06 (4H, aromatic ring H), 6.87-6.83 (2H, aromatic ring H), 6.77 (d, 2H, J=15.6 Hz, H-2,6), 4.92 (t, 1H, J=13.5 and 6.6 Hz, C4-H), 3.92-3.88 (12H, OCH₃), 3.09-3.04 (m, 5H, —CH₂ CO and N(CH₃ )), 2.94 (s, 3H, N(CH₃ )).

Compounds Q50 and Q98 were synthesized to compare their activity with Q44 and Q49 (Scheme 3). To a solution of 5-Hydroxy-1,7-bis-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenyl)-hepta-1,4,6-trien-3-one and 3,4-dihydro-2H-pyran (20 eq.) in dry dichloromethane was added pyridinium chlorochromate (PPTS) (0.1 eq.). The resulting solution was stirred at r.t. for 48 h. The solution was then washed with water. The solvent was removed and the resulting compound was purified on Biotage column chromatography. Reaction of the obtained product (Q1) with ethyl bromoacetae (Q50) or 2-Chloride-N,N-diethylacetamide (4 eq.) (Q98) in the presence of K₂CO₃ and Cs₂CO₃ (9:1) then removal of THP protecting group by PPTS/EtOH gave the desired products Q50 and Q98 respectively.

Compound Q50: Amorphous. mp. 63-65° C. ESI MS m/z: 455.2 [M+H]⁺; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 7.65 (d, 2H, J=15.9 Hz, H-1,7), 7.19-7.04 (6H, aromatic ring H), 6.72 (d, 2H, J=15.9 Hz, H-2,6), 4.16 (2H, COOCH₂ CH₃), 3.96-3.92 (6H, OCH₃), 3.04 (d, 2H, J=7.2 Hz, C4-CH₂ COOCH₂CH₃), 1.27-1.23 (3H, COOCH₂CH₃ ).

Compound Q98: Amorphous. mp. 68-71° C. ESI MS m/z: 482.10 [M+H]⁺; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 7.65 (d, 2H, J=15.9 Hz, H-1,7), 7.12-7.03 (4H, aromatic ring H), 6.94-6.89 (2H, aromatic ring H), 6.76 (d, 2H, J=15.9 Hz, H-2,6), 4.96 (t, 1H, J=13.2 and 6.9 Hz, C4-H), 3.92-3.89 (6H, OCH₃), 3.44-3.33 (m, 4H, CH₂CON(CH₂ CH₃)₂), 3.04 (d, 2H, J=6.6 Hz, C4-CH₂ CON(CH₂CH₃)₂), 1.25 (t, 3H, CH₂CON(CH₂CH₃ )₂), 1.10 (t, 3H, CH₂CON(CH₂CH₃ )₂).

Synthesis of Compound: Q12

This compound was synthesized starting from a commercially available substituted benzaldehyde with 4-acetyl-5-oxohexanoate as shown in Scheme 4.

More specifically, 4-acetyl-5-oxohexanoate was reacted with boron oxide (0.7 eq) in ethyl acetate at 40° C. for 30 min. To the resulting mixture tributyl borate and 3-methyl-4-hydroxy benzaldehyde (both 1.6-1.8 eq) were added and the mixture was stirred at 40-42° C. for 30 min. A solution of butyl amine (1.5 eq) in ethyl acetate was added slowly and the mixture was further allowed to stir at 40-42° C. overnight. 10% hydrochloride acid (2.5 eq) was added and the reaction mixture was stirred at 60° C. for 1 h. The reaction mixture was cooled to r.t. and partitioned. The aqueous portion was extracted with ethyl acetate twice. The combined ethyl acetate extract was washed with water to pH˜4 and dried over MgSO₄. After filtration and concentration, the crude was purified by silica gel column chromatography (HPFC) with hexanes:ethyl acetate as eluent and crystallized from ethyl acetate.

Synthesis of Compounds: Q30, Q35, and Q70

To study the function of di-ketone group in AR activity, a series of compounds with an imine group replacing one of ketones were synthesized.

Compounds Q30, Q35 were synthesized by reaction of ASC-J9 with appropriate amines in the presence of BF₃.OEt₂ (Scheme 5). For example, to a solution of ASC-J9 in 1,2-dichloroethane, N,N-diethylamine (compound Q30) (1.2 eq.) was added. The resulting solution was cooled to −30° C. and fresh BF₃.OEt₂ (2 eq.) was added dropwise. The mixture was stirred under nitrogen at −30° C. to room temperature with TLC monitoring. After quenching with the addition of pyridine (approximately 3 eq.) the mixture was washed with brine and dried over MgSO₄. Evaporation of the solvent and purification with flash column chromatography yielded the desired product Q30. ESI MS m/z: 452.4 [M+H]⁺.

Compounds Q70 was synthesized by reaction of ASC-J9 (0.75 mmol) with (R)-(−)-2-phenylglycinol (1.16 mmol) in anhydrous toluene as shown in the scheme 5. The reaction mixture was heated to reflux with a Dean-Stark trap overnight. The solvent was evaporated, and ethyl acetate was added and re-evaporated. The obtained crude was purified by column chromatograghy on Biotage system to afford the desired product Q70 as a light yellow solid. ESI MS m/z: 516.4 [M+H]⁺; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 7.54 (d, 1H, J=15.6 Hz, H-1), 7.40-7.28 (5H, aromatic ring H), 7.13 (d, 1H, J=15.9 Hz, H-6), 7.16-7.09 (2H, aromatic ring H), 6.95-6.80 (4H, aromatic ring H), 6.68 (d, 1H, J=15.6 Hz, H-2), 6.63 (d, 1H, J=15.9 Hz, H-7), 5.63 (s, 1H, C4-H), 3.94-3.83 (m, 15H).

Synthesis of Compounds: Q99, Q106, Q113, JM2, and JM20

In the continually exploring the effects of C4 side chain on AR activity, a series of compounds with a carbonyl group containing C4-substitutions were synthesized. Compound Q99 was synthesized by reaction of ASCJ-9 with 3-Chloro-2-methoxymethoxy-propene, followed by removal of methoxymethyl group as showed in Scheme 6. More specifically, an aqueous solution of NaOH (2 eq.) and tetrabutylammonium bisulfate (TBABS) was stirred for 5 min. To the reaction solution was added a solution of ASCJ-9 (1 eq.) in 1,4-dioxane dropwise at rt and the resulting red two phased-mixture was stirred at rt. for 10 min. To this mixture was added 3-Chloro-2-methoxymethoxy-propene (1.5 eq) in 1,4-dioxane and the resulting solution was stirred at rt. for 5 min then at 70° C. overnight. The solid was removed by filtration and the filtrate was concentrated to dryness. The resulting residue was suspended in 1% H₂SO₄/dioxane (2:1, volume) and the suspension was stirred at rt. for 4 h with TLC monitoring. The reaction mixture was extracted with CH₂Cl₂, dried over Na₂SO₄, filtered and concentrated. The crude was purified by flash column chromatography and eluted with hexanes/EtOAc mixture to give the desired product as a yellow crystalline solid. M.p. 163-166° C. ESI MS m/z: 453.1 [M+H]⁺.

Compounds Q106 and Q113 was synthesized with the method described for making the compound Q44 in Scheme 2. An example to make Q106 was described as below. To a solution of ASC-J9 (0.25 mmol) in dry CH₂Cl₂ (5 mL) was added 2-bromo-1-phenyl-ethanone (1.2 eq.), K₂CO₃/Cs₂CO₃ (10:1) (˜2 eq.). The reaction mixture was stirred at rt overnight with TLC monitoring. The reaction mixture was diluted with EtOAc and washed with H₂O, then dried over Na₂SO₄. The obtained crude was purified by silica gel flash column chromatography eluted by hexanes and EtOAc mixture to get the desired product.

Compounds Q106, yellow crystal, mp. 160-2° C. ESI MS m/z: 515.2 [M+H]⁺. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ: 8.14-8.01 (2H, aromatic ring H), 7.74-7.68 (2H, H-1,7), 7.65-7.46, (m, 4H, aromatic ring H), 7.18-7.15 (1H, aromatic ring H), 7.09-7.06 (2H, aromatic ring H), 6.91-6.80 (m, 4H, aromatic ring H), 6.69 (d, 2H, J=15.3 Hz, H-2,6), 3.92-3.90 (12H, OCH₃), 3.78 (2H, —CH₂ CO).

Compounds Q113, yellow fluffy solid, mp. 145-7° C. ESI MS m/z: 479.1 [M+H]⁺. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ: 7.75 (d, 1H, J=15.3 Hz, H-1,7), 7.20-7.17 (2H, aromatic ring H), 7.07-7.06 (2H, aromatic ring H), 6.90, 6.88 (2H, aromatic ring H), 6.86 (1H, J=15.3 Hz, H-2,6), 3.95-3.93 (12H, OCH₃), 3.76 (2H, —CH₂ CO), 2.14-2.05 (m, 1H, cyclopropyl-H), 1.10-1.04 (m, 2H, cyclopropyl-H), 0.93-0.86 (m, 2H, cyclopropyl-H).

Compound JM2 was synthesized by reaction of ASC-J9 (40 mg) with iodoacetamide (80 mg) and anhydrous sodium carbonate (40 mg) in dry acetone as showed in Scheme 7. The reaction mixture was heated to reflux for 24 hours. After cooling, the mixture was filtered to remove inorganic solid and filtrate was evaporated. The obtained crude residue was purified by preparative silica gel chromatography plate (Ethyl acetate only) to afford the desired product as a light yellow solid.

Compound JM2, amorphous; ESI MS m/z: 452.2 [M+H]⁺; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 7.79 (d, 2H, J=15.3 Hz, H-1, 7), 7.4-6.4 (6H, aromatic ring H), 6.33 (d, 2H, J=15.3 Hz, H-2, 6), 3.93, 3.92 (all s, both 6H, OCH₃ ), 2.06 (d, J=6.3 Hz, 2H, CH₂ CONH₂).

Synthesis of JM-10. A mixture of 1.0 gram of ASC-J9, 5 ml of acetic anhydride, and 1 ml of trimethyl orthoformate was stirred at 70° C. for 22 hours (Scheme 7). The solution was then vacuum evaporated to dryness. The residue was re-dissolved in CH₂Cl₂-ethanol to re-crystallize. Compound JM10 was afforded as orange-reddish crystals (270 mg); mp. 137-138° C.; ESI MS m/z: 425.2 [M+H]⁺; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ: 10.37 (s, 1H, C4-COH), 7.94, 7.71 (both d, 2H each, J=15.6 Hz, H-1, 2, 6, 7), 7.26 (dd, 2H, J=1.8, 8.7 Hz, aromatic 5′-H),), 7.17 (d, 2H, J=1.8 Hz, aromatic 2′-H), 6.91 (d, 2H, J=8.7 Hz, aromatic 6′-H), 3.97, 3.95 (both s, 6H each, OCH₃).

Synthesis of Compound Q100, Q101, JM1, JM6, and JM7

Compounds Q100, Q101, JM1, JM6, and JM7 were made with an unsaturated side chain at C4 position of ASC-J9 intending to enhance anti-prostate cancer activity. Compound Q100 was synthesized by reaction of ASC-J9 with 3-bromo-propyne in CH₂Cl₂ at 60° C. over night in the presence of K₂CO₃. Compound Q101 was made by reaction of ASC-J9 with bromopropene in DMF at 100° C. for 2 h in the presence of K₂CO₃ and KI (Scheme 8). The crude compounds were purified by silica gel flash column chromatography eluted by hexanes and EtOAc mixture to get the desired products.

Compound Q100, yellow solid amorphous, mp. 75-78° C. ESI MS m/z: 453.1 [M+H]⁺. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ: 7.75 (d, 1H, J=15.3 Hz, H-1), 7.69 (d, 1H, J=15.6 Hz, H-7), 7.23-7.05, and 6.91-6.85 (m, 7H, aromatic ring H and H-2), 6.73 (1H, J=15.6 Hz, H-6), 3.96-3.91 (12H, OCH₃), 3.46 (1H, C4-H), 2.96 (s, 1H, acetylene), 2.94-2.90 (dd, 2H, —CH₂ CCH).

Compound Q101, amorphous, mp. 69-72° C. ESI MS m/z: 437.1 [M+H]⁺. ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ: 7.71 (d, 1H, J=15.6 Hz, H-1), 7.70 (d, 1H, J=15.6 Hz, H-7), 7.18-7.12 (m, 2H, aromatic ring H), 7.06-7-7.00 (m, 2H, aromatic ring H), 6.90-6.85 (2H, aromatic ring H), 6.85 (1H, J=15.6 Hz, H-2), 6.67 (1H, J=15.6 Hz, H-6), 5.64-5.49 (m, 1H, ethylene H), 5.19-5.07 (m, 2H, ethylene H), 3.94-3.91 (m, 12H, OCH₃), 296 (d, 2H, —CH₂ —).

Compound JM1 was synthesized by reaction of ASC-J9 (40 mg) with cinnamyl bromide and anhydrous sodium carbonate in dry acetone (Scheme 9). The reaction mixture was heated to reflux for 24 hours. After cooling, the mixture was filtered to remove inorganic solid and filtrate was evaporated. The obtained crude was purified by preparative silica gel chromatography plate (n-Hexane-Ethyl acetate=1:1) to afford the desired product JM1 as a light yellow solid. Amorphous; ESI MS m/z: 513.4 [M+H]⁺; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 7.74 (d, 2H, J=15.3 Hz, H-1, 7), 7.32 (d, 1H, J=18.6 Hz, —CH2CH═CH—), 7.4-6.4 (11H, aromatic ring H), 6.93 (d, 2H, J=15.3 Hz, H-2, 6), 6.46 (d, 1H, J=18.6 Hz, —CH2CH═CH—), 3.91, 3.88 (all s, both 6H, OCH₃ ), 3.50 (br d, 2H, —CH2CH═CH—).

Compound JM6 was synthesized by reaction of ASC-J9 (60 mg) with bromomethyl acetate (50 mg) and sodium hydroxide (20 mg) in dry acetone (Scheme 9). The reaction mixture was heated to reflux for 24 hours. After cooling, the mixture was filtered to remove inorganic solid and filtrate was evaporated. The obtained crude was purified by preparative silica gel chromatography plate (n-Hexane-Ethyl acetate=1:2) to afford the desired product JM6 as a light yellow solid (ESI MS m/z: 467.3 [M+H]⁺).

Compound JM7, obtained as a by-product of JM4 aforementioned, yellow fine crystals from EtOAc/hexanes; mp. 109-110° C.; ESI MS m/z: 545.2 [M+H]⁺; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ: 7.83 (s, 1H, CH═C— at C4), 7.79, 7.51, 6.98, 6.83 (all d, 1H each, J=15.5 Hz, H-1,2,6,7), 7.20, 7.15, 7.08 (all dd, 1H each, J=1.8, 8.4 Hz, aromatic 5′-H), 6.87 (d, 1H, J=8.4 Hz, aromatic 6′-H), 6.83 (d, 2H, J=8.4 Hz, aromatic 6′-H), 7.07, 7.06, 6.99 (all d, 1H each, J=1.8 Hz, aromatic 2′-H), 3.92, 3.88 (all s, 6H each, OCH₃), 3.90, 3.83 (all s, 3H each, OCH₃).

Synthesis of Compounds: Q102-Q104, Q108, Q114-Q115, JM12-JM14, and JM16-JM19

Compounds Q102-Q104, Q108, JM12-JM14, JM17 were synthesized to evaluate the properties of the C4-alkyl substitution on ASC-J9 with differences in chain length, in ring size, and in functional groups at chain-end (e.g., Q108 and JM14). Compounds Q114-Q115, JM16, JM18-19 were synthesized to evaluate the functions of not only the C4-side chain but also the substitutions on the bi-phenyl moiety. All compounds were prepared by reaction of 2,4-pentadione with appropriate alkyl or alkylene (or substituted alkyl or alkylene) bromide or iodine in benzene with DBU as a base. The resulting product 3-substituted 2,4-pentadione further reacted with 3,4-dimethoxybenzaldehyde or 4-methoxybenzaldehyde or 3-methoxy-4-hydroxybenzaldehyde to afford the desired products (Scheme 10). An example to make Q104 was illustrated as below. Mix 2,4-pentadione 0.2 g (2 mmol) and DBU 30 ul (1 eq.) in benzene 3 mL. To this solution was added dropwise 0.48 g (1 eq.) of octyl iodine in 1 mL of benzene at r.t. The resulting solution was stirred at r.t. overnight. The reaction mixture was washed with brine and extracted the CH₂Cl₂, dried over Na₂SO₄ and purified by silica gel flash column chromatography to give a mixture of C3-octanyl substituted 2,4-pentadione and O-octyl substituted 2,4-pentadione. Reaction of the mixture with 3,4-methoxybenzaldehyde through the method mentioned above afforded the compound Q104.

Compound Q104, yellow solid from EtOAc/hexanes (2:1), mp. 87-90° C. ESI MS m/z: 509.3 [M+H]⁺; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 7.71 (d, 1H, J=15.6 Hz, H-1), 7.63 (d, 1H, J=15.9 Hz, H-7), 7.21-7.14 (m, 2H, aromatic H), 7.08-7.05 (m, 2H, aromatic H), 6.95 (d, 1H, J=15.6 Hz, H-2), 6.91-6.84 (m, 2H, aromatic H), 6.73 (d, 1H, J=15.9 Hz, H-6), 3.94-3.91 (m, 12H, —OCH₃), 2.55 (t, 1H, H-4), 1.61-1.22 (m, 12H, butyl group), 0.87 (m, 3H, —CH₃).

Compound Q102, a red needle crystal from EtOAc/hexanes, mp. 162-164° C. ESI MS m/z: 425.2 [M+H]⁺; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 7.73 (d, 2H, J=15.3 Hz, H-1,7), 7.23-7.19 (dd, 2H, J=8.1, 1.8 Hz, aromatic H), 7.09 (d, 2H, J=1.5 Hz, aromatic H), 6.96 (d, 2H, J=15.3 Hz, H-2, 6), 6.90 (d, 2H, J=8.1 Hz, aromatic ring H), 3.96 (s, 6H, OCH₃), 3.94 (s, 6H, OCH₃), 2.66-2.57 (m, 2H, —CH₂ CH₃), 1.24 (t, 2H, J=15.0, 6.0 Hz, —CH₂CH₃ ).

Compound Q103, yellow crystal from EtOAc, mp. 125-126° C. ESI MS m/z: 453.2 [M+H]⁺; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 7.74-7.61 (2H, H-1,7), 7.21-7.06 (m, 4H, aromatic H), 6.99-6.71 (4H, H-2,6 and aromatic H), 3.94-3.92 (12H, —OCH₃), 2.57 (t, 1H, H-4), 1.51-1.22 (m, 6H, —CH₂CH₂CH₂—), 0.87 (3H, —CH₃).

Compound Q108, yellow solid from EtOAc, mp. 60-62° C. ESI MS m/z: 515.2 [M+H]⁺; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 7.72-7.60 (2H, H-1,7), 7.34-7.00 (m, 8H, aromatic H), 6.91-6.84 (3H, aromatic H), 6.82-6.68 (2H, H-2,6), 3.95-3.92 (12H, —OCH₃), 3.46 (t, 1H, H-4), 2.80-2.52 (m, 2H, benzyl CH ₂), 2.12-1.84 (2H, —CH ₂—), 1.68-1.50 (2H, —CHCH ₂—).

Compound JM12, orange needles from EtOAc/hexanes; mp. 138-139° C.; ESI MS m/z: 451.2 [M+H]⁺; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ: 7.72, 6.99 (both d, 2H each, J=15.3 Hz, H-1,2,6,7), 7.21 (dd, 2H, J=1.8, 8.4 Hz, aromatic 5′-H),), 7.08 (d, 2H, J=1.8 Hz, aromatic 2′-H), 6.90 (d, 2H, J=8.4 Hz, aromatic 6′-H), 5.30 (br. s, 1H, OH), 3.95, 3.93 (both s, 6H each, OCH₃), 2.65 (d, 2H, J=6.0 Hz, C4-CH₂—), 0.95 (m, 1H, CH of cyclopropane), 0.95 (m, 1H, CH of cyclopropane), 0.51, 0.24 (both m, 2H each, CH₂ of cyclopropane).

Compound JM13, orange needles from EtOAc/hexanes; mp. 172-174° C.; ESI MS m/z: 493.2 [M+H]⁺; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ: 7.71, 6.97 (both d, 2H each, J=15.3 Hz, H-1,2,6,7), 7.20 (dd, 2H, J=1.8, 8.4 Hz, aromatic 5′-H),), 7.08 (d, 2H, J=1.8 Hz, aromatic 2′-H), 6.92 (d, 2H, J=8.4 Hz, aromatic 6′-H), 5.30 (br. s, 1H, OH), 3.95, 3.94 (both s, 6H each, OCH₃), 2.46 (d, 2H, J=6.9 Hz, C4-CH₂—), 1.90-1.00 (m, 11H, 1 CH and 5 CH₂ of cyclohexane).

Compound JM14, orange needles from EtOAc/hexanes; mp. 131-132° C.; ESI MS m/z: 493.2 [M+H]⁺; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃) δ: 9.87 (br. s, 1H, OH), 7.76, 6.90 (both d, 2H each, J=15.3 Hz, H-1,2,6,7), 7.19 (dd, 2H, J=1.8, 8.4 Hz, aromatic 5′-H)), 7.10 (d, 2H, J=1.8 Hz, aromatic 2′-H), 6.91 (d, 2H, J=8.4 Hz, aromatic 6′-H), 5.30 (br. s, 1H, OH), 3.95, 3.94 (both s, 6H each, OCH₃), 2.86, 2.37 (both m, 2H each, C4-CH₂—CH₂—).

Compound JM16, orange amorphous; ESI MS m/z: 437.2 [M+H]⁺; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃, 2:1 tautomerism observed, data for major form listed) δ: 7.62, 6.71 (both d, 2H each, J=15.9 Hz, H-1,2,6,7), 7.12 (dd, 2H, J=1.8, 8.4 Hz, aromatic 5′-H)), 7.05 (d, 2H, J=1.8 Hz, aromatic 2′-H), 6.92 (d, 2H, J=8.4 Hz, aromatic 6′-H), 5.96 (br. s, 2H, OH X 2), 3.97 (s, 3H, OCH₃), 3.94 (s, 9H, OCH₃X3), 2.68 (d, 2H, J=6.9 Hz, C4-CH₂—), 2.19-1.59 (m, 7H, 1 CH and 3 CH₂ of cyclobutane).

Compound JM17, orange needle from EtOAc/hexanes, mp. 126-127° C.; ESI MS m/z: 465.2 [M+H]⁺; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃,) δ: 7.72, 7.00 (both d, 2H each, J=15.3 Hz, H-1,2,6,7), 7.21 (dd, 2H, J=1.8, 8.4 Hz, aromatic 5′-H),), 7.09 (d, 2H, J=1.8 Hz, aromatic 2′-H), 6.92 (d, 2H, J=8.4 Hz, aromatic 6′-H), 3.96, 3.95 (both s, 6H each, OCH₃), 2.70 (d, 2H, J=6.9 Hz, C4-CH₂—), 2.08 (m, 2H, 1 CH₂ of cyclobutane), 1.83 (m, 4H, 2 CH₂ of cyclobutane).

Compound JM18, orange amorphous; ESI MS m/z: 423.2 [M+H]⁺; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃, 2:1 tautomerism observed, data for major form listed) δ: 7.65, 6.73 (both d, 2H each, J=15.9 Hz, H-1,2,6,7), 7.12 (dd, 2H, J=1.8, 8.4 Hz, aromatic 5′-H),), 7.05 (d, 2H, J=1.8 Hz, aromatic 2′-H), 6.92 (d, 2H, J=8.4 Hz, aromatic 6′-H), 3.93 (s, 12H, OCH₃X4), 2.71, 2.65 (both d, 1H each, J=6.0 Hz, C4-CH₂—), 0.95 (m, 1H, CH of cyclopropane), 0.51, 0.24 (both m, 2H each, CH₂ of cyclopropane).

Compound JM19, orange reddish needle from EtOAc/hexanes; mp. 153-154° C.; ESI MS m/z: 465.2 [M+H]⁺; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl₃,) δ: 7.75, 6.88 (both d, 2H each, J=15.5 Hz, H-1,2,6,7), 7.17 (dd, 2H, J=1.6, 8.5 Hz, aromatic 5′-H),), 7.07 (d, 2H, J=1.6 Hz, aromatic 2′-H), 6.96 (d, 2H, J=8.5 Hz, aromatic 6′-H), 5.90 (s, 2H, OH X 2), 3.96 (s, 6H, OCH₃X 2), 2.86, 2.35 (both m, 2H each, C4-CH₂—CH₂—).

Compound Q114, yellow crystalline solid from EtOAc/hexanes, mp. 166-167° C. ESI MS m/z: 337.0 [M+H]⁺; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 7.63 (d, 2H, J=16.1 Hz, H-1,7), 7.53-7.50 (m, 4H, aromatic H), 6.94-6.91 (m, 4H, aromatic H), 6.50 (d, 2H, J=16.1 Hz, H-2, 6), 5.79 (s, 1H, H-4), 3.85 (s, 6H, OCH₃).

Compound Q115, yellow crystal from EtOAc, mp. 142-143° C. ESI MS m/z: 393.1 [M+H]⁺; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 7.73 (d, 2H, J=15.6 Hz, H-1,7), 7.55-7.52 (4H, aromatic H), 6.99-6.92 (6H, H-2,6 and aromatic H), 3.86 (6H, —OCH₃), 2.55 (t, 1H, H-4), 1.53-1.40 (m, 6H, —CH₂CH₂CH₂—), 1.01 (t, 3H, —CH₃).

Synthesis of Compounds: JM4, JM20, and Q116

Compounds JM4, JM20, Q116 structurally share the property of a (substituted)-triaryl system [three (substituted phenyl) propenal conjugation]. One of the purposes to synthesize these compounds is to study the effect of multi-phenyl propenal moiety on anti-AR and anti-prostate cancer activities. Compound JM4 were synthesized from a condensation of 3,4-dimethyoxybenzaldehyde with triacetylmethane as shown in Scheme 11.

Compounds JM20 and Q116 were synthesized with the same method described as JM4.

Compound JM20, red powder, mp. 165-167° C.; ESI MS m/z: 455.2 [M+H]⁺; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, d₆-DMSO,) δ: 7.69 (d, 2H, J=15.6 Hz, H-1,7), 7.03 (d, 1H, J=16.2 Hz, C4 side chain —COCH═CH—), 7.62-7.34 (m, 6H, aromatic ring H), 6.67 (d, 1H, J=15.6 Hz, C4 side chain —COCH═CH—), 6.90-6.72 (m, 4H, aromatic H), 6.57 (d, 2H, J=15.9 Hz, H-2,6).

Compound Q116, yellow amorphous solid, mp. 70-72° C. ESI MS m/z: 497.1 [M+H]⁺; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 7.78 (d, 2H, J=15.3 Hz, H-1,7), 7.60 (d, 1H, J=15.6 Hz, C4 side chain —COCH═CH—), 7.54-7.51 (2H, aromatic ring H), 7.47-7.44 (4H, aromatic ring H), 6.97 (d, 1H, J=15.6 Hz, C4 side chain —COCH═CH—), 6.92-6.85 (6H, aromatic H), 6.71 (d, 2H, J=15.3 Hz, H-2,6), 3.84-3.82 (9H, —OCH₃).

Synthesis of Compound: JM5

Compound JM5 structurally containing four (substituted phenyl) propenal moieties was synthesized by reaction of ASC-J9 (18.9 g) with bromomethyl acetate (10.0 g) in anhydrous acetone (250 mL) in the presence of sodium carbonate (5.0 g) (Scheme 12). After heating to reflux for 80 h, the solid was filtered and the filtrate was concentrated under vacuum. The residue was subjected repeated silica gel column chromatography (n-hexanes:ethyl acetate=2:1) to afford the desired product and recovered starting material ASC-J9 (15 g). The obtained product was dissolved in 0.5 mL of ethyl acetate and was added dropwise to 5 mL of hexanes with stirring. After filtration and drying in vacuum to give compound JM5 (877 mg) as a yellow powder. Compound JM5 was also synthesized by reaction of ASC-J9 with bromomethyl methyl ether and sodium carbonate in anhydrous acetone in shorter time and with higher yield.

Analytical data on compound JM5 are shown below

Yellow amorphous. mp. 111-114° C. ESI MS m/z: 804.87 [M+H]⁺; ¹H and ¹³C NMR data on 500 MHz Varian, (CDCl3) was listed in Table 1.

TABLE 1 ¹H and ¹³C NMR Spectral Data of ASC- JM5.

No. Groups δ ¹H δ ¹³C a1 Ar. ═C 126.83 a2 Ar. ═CH 7.098 (d, J = 1.5) 109.62 a3, 4, b3, 4, c3, Ar. ═C(OCH3) *3.812 (s), 3.596, 3.708, 3.968, 147.77, 147.93, 148.96, 149.15, c4, d3, 4. 3.950, 3.946, 3.857, 3.931 149.17, 151.25, 151.69, 151.87 a5 Ar. ═CH 6.878 (d, J = 8.0) 110.82 a6 Ar. ═CH 7.167 (dd, J = 8.0, 1.5) 123.31 a11 ═CH 7.732 (d, J = 15.5) 143.25 a12 ═CH 7.017 (d, J = 15.5) 116.46 a13 C═O 182.21 a14 —CH  4.317 (s) 40.75 b1 Ar. ═C 127.84 b2 Ar. ═CH 6.881 (d, J = 2.0) 109.57 b5 Ar. ═CH 6.740 (d, J = 8.0) 110.71 b6 Ar. ═CH 7.061 (dd, J = 8.0, 2.0) 124.09 b11 ═CH 7.681 (d, J = 15.5) 145.83 b12 ═CH 6.739 (d, J = 15.5) 118.33 b13 C═O 196.29 c1 Ar. ═C 126.80 c2 Ar. ═CH 7.055 (d, J = 1.5) 109.80 c5 Ar. ═CH 6.878 (d, J = 8.5) 110.82 c6 Ar. ═CH 7.195 (dd, J = 8.5, 1.5) 123.84 c11 ═CH 7.60 (d, J = 15.5) 144.71 c12 ═CH 7.038 (d, J = 15.5) 119.03 c13 C═O 194.59 c14  CH  4.317 (d, J = 7.5) 40.69 d1 Ar. ═C 133.03 d2 Ar. ═CH 6.653 (s) 111.92 d5 Ar. ═CH 6.740 (d, J = 8.5) 110.71 d6 Ar. ═CH 6.676 (d, J = 8.0) 120.28 d11  C  68.86 d12  CH₂ 3.268 (d, J = 16.5), 24.13 3.352 (d, J = 16.5) d13 C═O 190.32 d14  CH₂ 2.734 (d, J = 19.5), 37.74 3.516 (dd, J = 19.5, 7.5) a3, 4, b3, 4, c3,  OCH ₃ 3.596 (s), 55.40 c4, d3, 4. 3.708 (s), 3.812 (s), 55.59 3.857 (s), 3.946 (s), 55.87 3.931 (s), 3.950 (s), 55.94 3.968 (s) 56.05 *1H data of the methoxy protons

Synthesis of Compounds: Q110 and Q111

In order to study the contribution of the length of the conjugation bridge to the AR activity, compound Q110 with a four-conjugated-double bond linker and compound Q111 with a five-conjugated-double bond linker were synthesized and illustrated in Scheme 13. Compound Q110 was synthesized starting from 1,2-dimethoxy-4-propyl-benzene. To a solution of 3-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl) propane in dry dioxane was added with DDQ (3.1 eq.) and catalytic amount of acetic acid. The mixture was sonicated for 2 h with TLC monitoring. After completion of the reaction, the solid was filtered out and the filtration was concentrated. The residue was dissolved in EtOAc and washed with water, 2% NaHCO₃, and brine. The organic extract was dried over Na₂SO₄ and concentrated to afford a crude as yellow-brownish solid, which was purified with neutral alumina column chromatography and eluted with hexanes-ethyl acetate mixture to give a light yellow solid, 3,4-dimethoxycinnamaldehyde in 60% yield (B. P. Joshi et al., Tetrahedron, 62, 2590-2593, 2006). A solution of 2,4-petanedione (3 eq.) and B₂O₃ (1 eq.) in EtOAc was stirred at 40° C. for 0.5 h, 3,4-dimethoxycinnamaldehyde (1 eq.) and tributyl borane (1 eq.) were added. The resulting reaction mixture was stirred at 40° C. for 0.5 h. Butylamine (1.2 eq.) in EtOAc was added dropwise at the temperature and stirred at 40° C. for 16 h. To the red reaction mixture, 1% HCl aq was added and the mixture was stirred to 60° C. for 1 h. After cooling to rt, the aqueous was separated and the organic was washed with water to pH˜7 and dried over Na2SO4. The crude was purified by silica gel flash column chromatography to get the intermediate product 8-(3,4-Dimethoxy-phenyl)-4-hydroxy-octa-3,5,7-trien-2-one as an off-white solid. A solution of the intermediate (1 eq.) and B₂O₃ (0.7 eq.) in EtOAc was stirred at 70° C. for 0.5 h. 3,4-dimethoxybenzaldehyde (1 eq.) and trubutyl borane (1 eq.) were added and the reaction mixture was stirred at 70° C. for 0.5 h. Piperidine (1.2 eq.) in EtOAc was added dropwise and the reaction mixture was stirred at 88-90° C. for 1 h. After cooling to 60° C., 1% HCl aq was added and the mixture was stirred at 60° C. for 0.5 h. The reaction mixture was worked-up by following the procedure described above and the crude was purified by silica gel column chromatography to afford the desired product Q110 as a red solid. Amorphous, mp. 65-68° C., ESI MS m/z: 423.1 [M+H]⁺; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 7.64-7.58 (d, 2H, H-1 and 2), 7.16-7.02 (4H, aromatic ring H and trans double bond H), 6.90-6.82 (4H, aromatic ring H), 6.53-6.48 (1H, trans double bond H), 6.18-6.12 (1H, trans double bond H), 5.75 (s, 1H, H-4), 3.94-3.92 (12H, —OCH₃).

Compound Q111 was synthesized by reaction of 8-(3,4-Dimethoxy-phenyl)-4-hydroxy-octa-3,5,7-trien-2-one (3) with 3,4-dimethoxycinnamaldehyde (2) as described in the synthesis of Q110 (Scheme 13). A red amorphous solid was afforded, mp. 187-9° C. ESI MS m/z: 449.1 [M+H]⁺; ¹H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl3) δ: 7.49-7.40 (d, 2H, H-1 and 11), 7.06-7.02 (4H, aromatic ring H), 6.87-6.81 (2H, aromatic ring H, and 4H for trans double bond H), 6.17-6.12 (2H, trans double bond H), 5.75 (s, 1H, H-4), 3.94-3.92 (12H, —OCH₃).

Example 2 Detecting Biological Effects of Compounds Having at Least One (3,4-Alkoxy or Hydroxy Substituted Phenyl)-Propenal Moiety on Human Androgen Receptor (AR) and Androgen/AR-Mediated Activity

Representative ASC compounds and monomers were tested for their activity to block androgen/AR-induced functions. A cell growth assay using human prostate cancer cells, either LNCaP or CWR22Rv1, was applied in the studies. Functional AR proteins are expressed in both cancer cell lines; whereas the growth of LNCaP cells is DHT dependant, but the growth of CWR22Rv1 cells, derived from a relapsed hormone-refractory tumor, was not. In addition, Western Blot analysis were performed by testing monomers, and some representative new compounds in prostate cancer cells to demonstrate that compounds with at least one (4-hydroxy-3-methoxy-phenyl)-propenal moiety are capable of reducing AR protein expression levels and inhibiting cancer cell growth in vitro.

In Vitro Cell Growth Assays Using Human Prostate Cancer Cell Lines, LNCaP and CWR22Rv1

The MTT cell proliferation assay was applied in the present invention to detect the capability of compounds to suppress or inhibit prostate cancer cells growth. The MTT assay, which is a method widely used to detect proliferation of culture cells and is relied upon the conversion of a colorless substrate to reduced tetrazolium by a mitochondrial dehydrogenase (possessed by all viable cells), and has been demonstrated previously (Su et al., 1999) to assess the growth of various tissue-cultured cells. Briefly, 1×10³ LNCaP or CWR22Rv1 cells suspended in complete medium were plated into each well of a 96-well Microtest III tissue culture plate (Falcon, NJ). Two days later, the medium was replaced with RPMI-1640 medium containing 10% charcoal/dextran-deprived FBS (hormone-deprived fetal bovine serum). Testing compounds were added to the medium at indicated concentrations with or without 1 nM DHT and cells were cultured for 5 days in an incubator (at 37° C.). MTT substrate solution (5 mg/ml in PBS) in 1/10 of volume was added to the cells in each well at 2 hours before harvesting. After 2 hour incubation, the plates were centrifuged (10 min at 1,000 rpm) and the supernatant from each well was carefully removed. A 100 μl of lysis buffer (50% dimethyl formamide, 5% sodium dodecyl sulphate, 0.35 M acetic acid, and 50 mM HCl) was added to each well to lyse the cells and dissolved tetrazolium in each well. The relative quantity of enzyme activity from each well was measured based on absorbance read at a wavelength of 450 nm using a Bio-RAD BenchMark microplate reader. Data derived from the MTT assay were also verified by the actual cell count and cell morphology on a separate plate set up in parallel. Data from this parallel plate demonstrated a positive relationship between the quantity of enzyme activity and the number of viable cells in the well.

Western Blot Analysis of AR Protein Expression Levels in Prostate Cancer Cells

A widely used Western Blotting analysis was employed to measure AR protein expression level. Human prostate cancer cells, LNCaP and CWR22Rv1, both express high levels of AR proteins and were used in this study. In this invention representative ASC compounds were tested in Western blot assay to evaluate their activity in reducing AR expression; and the assays were carried out in either the presence or absence of dihydrotestosterone (DHT, 1 nM). After cells were incubated with testing compounds for the designated time, they were harvested and lysed according to Western Blot techniques known in the biochemical arts. Details of Western Blotting analysis method have been published previously (Su et al., 1999). Briefly, cells were harvested either in 2× sodium dodecyl sulphate/polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS/PAGE) loading buffer or in Radio-Immunoprecipitation Assay (RIPA) lysis buffer strengthened with 10 μg/ml of benzamidine, 10 μg/ml of trypsin inhibitor, and 1 mM of phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride. A sample of total protein (approximately 40 μg) from each cell lysate was separated by electrophoresis on a SDS/PAGE gel. After separation by electrophoresis, the proteins were transferred from the gel to a nitrocellulose membrane following the standard procedures. The membrane was then incubated with 10% non-fat milk in phosphate-buffered saline supplemented with 0.1% Tween-20 (PBST) for 1 hour and then followed with an overnight incubation with a primary human AR-specific antibody (purchased from BD-PharMingen) at 4° C. After incubation, the membrane was rinsed with PBST buffer three times; 10 min each time; an alkaline phosphatase-conjugated secondary antibody was then added and incubated for 1 hour at room temperature. After second antibody incubation, membrane was again rinsed with PBST, and AR protein signal in the membrane was visualized by adding alkaline phosphatase substrates, bromochloroindolyl phosphate and nitro blue tetrazolium to the membrane. To assure that an equal amount of protein from each sample was analyzed, a portion of the membrane was stained with a specific antibody for a house keeping protein β-actin (Santa Cruz Biotechnology) and actin signal was revealed with a second antibody as described above. The protein signal intensity (shown as colour band on the membrane) was measured using densitometer and analysed by using NIH Image J software (NIH 1.33). The quantity of AR protein was calculated by normalizing the quantity of AR to the quantity of β-actin in each sample and data are expressed in relative quantity.

Detection of AR Degradation Using a Cycloheximide Chasing Assay Method:

AR protein “degradation” in prostate cancer cells was measured by using cycloheximide (a protein synthesis inhibitor) chasing assay method. Briefly, LNCaP cells were incubated with testing ASC compound at the designated concentrations for 24 hours. Subsequently, cycloheximide was added to the cells at a concentration of 15 μg/ml to block new protein synthesis. After incubation, cells were harvested at designated time periods and the resultant change in AR protein levels were analysed using Western Blot analysis as described above. 

1-33. (canceled)
 34. A method of treating a patient suffering from an ailment comprising: a) providing a patient; and b) administering to said patient, a therapeutically effective amount of a compound according to formula IIa or IIb:

wherein: R₃, R₄, R₃′, and R₄′ are independently selected from the group consisting of —H, —OH, and —OCH₃; L is a carbonyl or C5-C8 alkylene or L is an unsaturated alkenylene except propenylene, or alkynl when Z is nothing; Z is selected from the group consisting of —H, —OH, a substituted styrenyl, an aromatic ring when L is not methylene, or a cycloalkyl, —COR₁ when R₄ is not —OH, or —CONR₁R₂, —CX₃, wherein R₁ and R₂ are independently selected from the group consisting of —H, —CH₃, and —C2H₅; X is a halogen atom selected from the group consisting of —F, —Cl, and —Br; and further wherein the formula IIa and IIb are the equilibrate tautomers as a common phenomenon of diketone, optionally with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 35. The method according to claim 34 wherein said ailment is an androgen associated medical condition.
 36. The method according to claim 34 wherein said ailment is inflammation.
 37. The method according to claim 34 wherein said ailment is acne.
 38. The method according to claim 34 wherein said ailment is alopecia.
 39. The method according to claim 34 wherein said ailment is hirsutism.
 40. The method according to claim 34 wherein said ailment is a wound.
 41. The method according to claim 34 wherein said ailment is Kennedy's disease.
 42. The method according to claim 34 wherein said ailment is cancer.
 43. The method according to claim 34 wherein said ailment is prostate cancer.
 44. The method according to claim 34 wherein said ailment is bladder cancer.
 45. The method according to claim 34 wherein said ailment is liver cancer.
 46. The method according to claim 34 wherein said ailment is breast cancer. 